Home › Forums › Bass Cat Boats › opinions on what motor to buy
I blew my old mariner 175 efi this weekend and I am looking for options on how to go about repowering 175 opti,175 pro xs or 150 opti I dont really want to lose any speed I have a 96 Erya I just dont know how much speed would be lost with the 150 opti or how much it $ I would save
How about just having your 175 rebuilt by a reputable shop. Unless you are looking to upgrade to one of the optis for the added fuel mileage or great running characteristics, a rebuild would by far be your best bang for your buck on a 12 year old rig. However, if you plan on keeping your eyra for years and years to come, the 175 opti or pro xs would sure be nice on that thing. You would probably loose 3-5 mph with the 150 opti over your 175 efi when it was in its prime. The Pro XS would probably put you very close to where you were with your efi. A 150 Opti is probably about 3000 dollars less than a 175 pro xs. So your looking at about 1000 dollars per mph there. Or you could rebuild and make that thing really sing while they are at it. A little head work and shell really wake up!! I guess it really boils down to how much money your willing to spend. The cost effectiveness of putting a new motor on a 12 year old boat is debatable. Good luck with your decision. Chris Coupel Paulina, La.Chris CoupelPaulina, La.
Boy, I feel your pain!.. 96 Eyra with 175 Magnum EFI with loss of power just about a month ago. Fortunately, was lucky enough to only have blown head gaskets, but was checked out and serviced at H2o Sportz in Sherwood. I began weighing optional engine choices as well. If you do a lot of fishing, obviously upgrading to an Optimax/Etec/Hpdi would be good. The up side being decreased fuel consumption, new components and warranty(if new). The down side is…you will never get what you put into it if you decide to sell the boat. If you are going to keep the boat, like forever, then the 175 Pro XS. Otherwise, the 150 you wont take as big a hit at resale. I do not fish as much now, so the EFI will have to stay for now. Just had to respond as it seemed odd to have two Eyras with Magnum EFI 175s go down. Good luck on yours!Last edited by jignpig on December 8th, 2008, 7:26 pm, edited 1 time in total.96 Eyra/12 Mercury 175 Pro XS with 2015 single axle trailer2017 Victory Gunner
I plan on keeping this boat for a long time unless Bass Cat starts building these again or if I win the lotto I would probaly splurge a little and get a new couger
casexx wrote: I plan on keeping this boat for a long time unless Bass Cat starts building these again or if I win the lotto I would probaly splurge a little and get a new couger If you have the financial resources to do it, the get the Pro XS and put a Fury prop on it…. Then feed the competition fish heads when you thunder by them! Unfortunately, I am not so lucky with finances…96 Eyra/12 Mercury 175 Pro XS with 2015 single axle trailer2017 Victory Gunner
I would probably opt for the reg 175 Opti…I havent seen any numbers that justify the cost difference between it and the ProXS. But the decals are cool Sorry to hear about your mota issues but I think I would be looking at rebuilding and letting someone really pump that existing motor up. You would burn a heck of a lot more gas but you can buy a lot of fuel for the cost difference in a rebuild and a new Opti. Not to mention once you put the Opti on it is hard to beef it up as no one will touch these new motors the EPA has such a strong hold on things. The new Opti will fire instantly with every turn of the key and burn 40% less fuel and oil…if that is what you are looking for you cant beat the new Optis. Good luck and again sorry! Judd Lasiter
Yes listen to Judd, the 175 Opti has actually been faster on Sabres than the pro xs version……I do not believe in all the Pro XS hype on that model…..It sounds cool on paper yet doesnt transfer to the water…….Your Signature …
B-worned careful on what you print you must not have read my posts on bbc 69.73gps w/175proxs, 25 tempest 5900rpm, d-console & 255lbs of driver. It runs very strong & mileage is excellent! John
Depends on what your pocketbook will let you do and what you want to do. Rebuild is the cheapest and will allow the least amount of loss with resale if you were to go that way in a few years. Pro XS will be the most expensive, but will give you the most power, but is it enough to warrant the difference over a standard Opti. And while the Optis are way more fuel efficient, how long will it take before it pays for itself? You can buy a lot of gas right now for 10K. Good luck with your decision as there is no clear / obvious answer to your question. One thing you might try is call some local dealers to see exactly what they do have. They may have some one or two year old engines with warranty that they may be willing to trade or sell outright. You never know until you call though. “Be-Worned”……………………now that one is a good one I must admit! Hats off to you Sabreski!Last edited by PhilAddison on December 8th, 2008, 11:29 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Like everyone said it really up to you on how much you want to spend. Personally, my standard 175 opti is competing with or exceeding the ProXS number but my set-up is a little differen then most. My setup is a 2003 sabre with a 2007 Optimax. I can say I am VERY pleased with my standard 175.Last edited by mojorig on December 9th, 2008, 1:35 am, edited 1 time in total.
© 2026 Bass Cat Boats

